I try to get feedback early in the creative process so I don’t spend needless time spinning wheels on an idea that doesn’t have the buy-in and support of the people I work for and work with.
Mark Martin is executive vice president of marketing and customer care manager for Nova Skin Sciences, one of the world’s leading manufacturers and marketers of high-quality anti-aging skincare and advanced nutraceutical supplements to promote a healthy lifestyle.
Mark is responsible for coordinating the innovations of Nova Skin Sciences’s product team to the customer-focused marketing and communications divisions to build the Nova Skin Sciences global brand, create consumer awareness and advocacy for Allumière and Niuvella and drive consumer preference for the company’s various brands through all media channels.
As is executive vice president of marketing and customer care manager, Mark oversees the global management of the Nova Skin Sciences brand, including customer relations, digital marketing, creative development, marketing effectiveness, social media and employee communications.
Where did the idea for Nova Skin Sciences come from?
We wanted to create an innovative company serving our consumers with the best mineral and vitamin complexes and skin care products, extracted from the most exotic plants and other natural sources worldwide.
What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?
I try to be hyperorganized. I am always coming up with ideas, jotting down Post-it Notes, leaving voice and text messages to myself, sometimes even writing on my hand so I don’t forget what pops into my head. But more than coming up with ideas, I am a big believer in the importance of implementation, so I make sure to surround myself with an outstanding team, driven to succeed as much as I am.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I think there are a few stages to bringing new ideas to life: brainstorming strategy, finalizing strategy, brainstorming tactics, finalizing tactics, reviewing results and if successful, repeat. Right now, I am most excited about our new anti-aging skincare products. Allumière is a lightweight, fast-absorbing cream provides the hydrating benefits of a moisturizer with the power of an anti-aging concentrate and Niuvella Antiaging Serum, a powerful anti-aging cream that addresses one of the root causes of aging and wrinkles — inflammation.
What’s one trend that really excites you?
The advances in healthcare sciences over the past couple of decades is nothing short of revolutionary. In the coming years, we will have cures for many of the most debilitating and deadly diseases on the planet and humans will enjoy a longer, healthier life than ever thought possible.
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
I think being organized has been very helpful. I see a lot of my colleagues waste a lot of time looking for an email, finding a document, searching through a notebook. Time wasted is something you can never get back.
What was the worst job you ever had and what did you learn from it?
I’ve been lucky. I haven’t really had a worst job, and I am not looking to find one, either!
If you were to start again, what would you do differently?
I would have taken time off after college before working. There are so many amazing things you can learn while you are traveling; history, respect for others, dealing with challenges, scheduling, time management. Whether you are seeking an exotic locale or cross-country, some of the best lessons of life can be learned with bags packed and an open mind.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
I try to get feedback early in the creative process so I don’t spend needless time spinning wheels on an idea that doesn’t have the buy-in and support of the people I work for and work with. Also, the more people you can bring into the process early they sooner they will have the motivation and energy to support the project going forward.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business? Please explain how.
Our research and development team of scientists are absolutely amazing. They are constantly analyzing the effects of herbs, plants, vitamins and other natural products to formulate combinations that have the maximum impact at a price accessible to the ordinary consumer. Rather than just copy other companies and say “me too”, at Nova Skin Sciences, our team values originality and innovation.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
I don’t start companies, so I am not classically speaking an “entrepreneur”, but I do create ideas. Some work and some don’t, but I think you can learn something from success as well as a failure. So, I guess I would say, the best way to overcome a failure is to take the time to understand why something failed and avoid those mistakes when the next opportunity presents itself.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
In an age where emails and text messages have seemingly replaced sales by people to people, I believe that direct sales and marketing is still one of the most effective sales techniques available to a business today. Especially in the health and lifestyle brands, there is a tremendous opportunity for talented salespeople to take greater control over their income and their lives by partnering with a company which shares their goals and has a robust product line and starting their own independent business.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
I recently bought a Fitbit activity wristband which tracks all-day activity like steps, distance, calories burned and active minutes. I love it!
What software and web services do you use? What do you love about them?
I am a big fan of Evernote, it’s a simple, but highly effective app where you can create a project to-do list, jot down a reminder, or snap a picture of a sketch.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
I recommend everyone read Malcolm Gladwell’s book, The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference. It is fascinating to see examples of how little ideas and innovations can change the world.
Key Learnings
- I see a lot of my colleagues waste a lot of time looking for an email, finding a document, searching through a notebook. Time wasted is something you can never get back.
- I think there are a few stages to bringing new ideas to life: brainstorming strategy, finalizing strategy, brainstorming tactics, finalizing tactics, reviewing results and if successful, repeat.
- I try to get feedback early in the creative process so I don’t spend needless time spinning wheels on an idea that doesn’t have the buy-in and support of the people I work for and work with.
Connect:
Nova Skin Sciences on Facebook:
Mario Schulzke is the Founder of ideamensch, which he started a decade ago to learn from entrepreneurs and give them a platform for their ideas.